The controversy over faith schools in Scotland was re-ignited yeterday when a bishop blamed problems of overcrowding at a newly opened Catholic school on the large numbers of non-Catholic pupils who have enrolled.

Joseph Devine, the Bishop of Motherwell, said that the large number of pupils who did not come from a faith background created “problems of accommodation” at the school in East Kilbride. So popular is the school that it has 300 pupils more than it was designed for.

Bishop Devine said that the overflow was because of non-Catholic pupils. Although he says that he welcomes the pupils as “a tribute” to the benefits of a Catholic education, they have created problems for the school.

He said: “I am conscious that the current school roll is about 300 more than the school was built to cater for. I am satisfied that the school itself was designed to support the number of Catholic pupils projected to attend.

“What could not have been foreseen was the number of non-Catholic parents who have chosen to send their children to this Catholic secondary school as a result of its achievements and record of academic excellence. While this has created problems of accommodation, it is perhaps also something to celebrate as a tribute to Catholic education, particularly at a time when faith schools are under increasing attack from political and secular-atheist enemies.

“I send a heartfelt welcome to all the young men and women attending St Andrew's and St Bride's High School who belong to other Christian denominations and other faiths and wish them and the school continuing success.”

The bishop, who is known for being outspoken, made his comments during a debate over the provision of outdoor sports facilities at St Andrew's and St Bride's. Parents at the school, with which the bishop has been involved from the planning stage, are critical of what they regard as a lack of facilities. They want their children to have access to the same sports facilities as those at the 16 other new schools in South Lanarkshire, and are threatening to boycott the official opening ceremony on October 2.

Bishop Devine said: “Perhaps too much political heat and too little light has been brought to this debate so far. It is time for some common sense to prevail. The simple truth is that the present site of St Andrew's and St Bride's High School was chosen by the parents five or so years ago against the advice of both the council and the Roman Catholic Diocese. All the current problems were foreseen at that time but our appeals were ignored.”

His views are bound to ignite the controversy over faith schools. This month Lorraine Kelly, the GMTV presenter, mounted an outspoken attack on faith schools, calling them divisive and sectarian. “I firmly believe that all children should be educated together and if they do have special religious needs these can easily be met with different morning assemblies,” Ms Kelly said.

“To split kids up from their pals at five years old only leads to conflict and suspicion. It gives bigots a chance to pollute the minds of youngsters and, until that stops, you will never stamp out the scandal of sectarianism.”

Ms Kelly said that a compromise favoured by ministers and councillors of creating more shared-campus schools would be a step in the right direction, but that integrated schooling represented the best solution. Her views are shared by politicians and academics, including Lord Steel of Aikwood, the former Liberal leader, but they are at odds with Alex Salmond, the First Minister, who is a supporter of denominational schools, arguing that they produce high educational standards and strong moral values.

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